Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers on November 14, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 464
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Rating:
In the powerful conclusion to Robin LaFever's New York Times bestselling His Fair Assassins trilogy, Annith has watched her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain, patiently awaiting her own turn to serve Death. But her worst fears are realized when she discovers she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever sequestered in the rock and stone womb of the convent. Feeling sorely betrayed, Annith decides to strike out on her own.
She has spent her whole life training to be an assassin. Just because the convent has changed its mind, doesn’t mean she has.
At A Glance
Loved it, but it was the weakest of the trilogy.
The Good
I can’t believe this is the end. I don’t even want to think about not reading about these characters’ new adventures ever again. Everyone knows I love assassin books. But His Fair Assassin series was different. It had the perfect amount of romance and history mixed in. I love that LaFevers took true events in history and twisted them into a tale of magic, love, and death.
Mortal Heart starts with Annith still stuck in the convent as her friends fight and kill for the country, Duchess, and God they love. But nefarious motives and decisions from the people she trusted has forced Annith to leave her home and find a new path. Annith is an amazing character because she is the perfect mix of sweet, gentle, fierce, and deadly. She is also a phenomenal assassin. How she hones her skills, how she practices until she obtains perfection, it’s all so admirable. I think Annith grows more than any character in the series, and that’s saying something. Her journey is long and complicated, but the knowledge she gains, both good and bad, is worth it in the end.
Balthazaar was such a great addiction to the series. I love how mysterious he stays throughout the whole novel. I was shocked by the things we learn about him in the end. I mean, wow, didn’t see that coming. He too is a great mix of gentle and fierce. He is the strong but silent type, which worked for him. His story was probably the most satisfying as it came to an end.
We get to see all of our old, favorite characters in action, which was pretty much the best part of the book. The plot was great and the action was pretty good. The twists and turns were what made this book. I am still in a state of shock with some of the reveals. I hate to see such a great series end, but I am happy it ended so well.
The Bad
With how strong the romance was in the other two books, I was expecting a better connection between Annith and Balthazaar.
We were left with many questions unanswered. Not huge important ones, but stuff I really wanted to know about, like the fate of certain people.
I think I loved the first two books so much, that this amazing book felt just plain normal good in comparison. It didn’t feel as exciting.
The Snuggly
I loved Annith. I loved Balthazaar. But together they didn’t spark as much as I hoped they would. I think they just needed to spend more time together. But I still liked them together. There is sex but it is skipped over so very YA.
Final Thoughts
A good ending to a great series. Not perfect by any means, but I knew it was impossible to top Dark Triumph, but LaFevers still rocked my socks off with Mortal Heart. Highly recommended.
Quotes
“I am sorry. I did not see you. Normally you are lurking in the corners or skulking in the shadows, not standing in plain sight.”
“I never skulk, and lurk only sometimes.”
“I am beginning to think that love itself is never wrong. It is what love can drive people to do that is the problem.”
“Oh no. Do not start leaking. Ismae, come over here and hug her so we can all pretend it never happened and get on with our lives.”
“We are all of us, gods and mortals, made up of many pieces, some of them broken, some of them scarred, but none of them the total sum of who we are.”
Melliane
Oh yes I hear great things about this series, I really need to try it!
Jennifer Bielman
Yes you do!!!!!!!!
matt
I really need to check these out. Assassins are really entertaining.
Jennifer Bielman
I am pretty much obsessed with all assassin books.
Jaclyn Canada
So glad to hear you enjoyed the entire series. I have it on my to-read list for sure. I love the concept, and glad to hear that the shocks keep coming. I love it when I can be surprised. Great review!
Jennifer Bielman
Oh, you will love this series. I don’t see you read historical books that often, but these are the best kind.
Molly Mortensen
I have to get to this series! Magical assassins sounds so cool! I hate unanswered questions though. I love that first quote!
Jennifer Bielman
I really, really, like when everything is solved at the end of a series, which is a little far-fetched, but hey, it’s what I like.
Brandi Breathes Books
Like the sound of Annith as a character
Jennifer Bielman
All the characters are really amazing.
Christy
The weakest, eh? That’s okay, because it has a lot to hold up to against Dark Triumph. I just won’t go in with expectations to high.
Jennifer Bielman
I swear, nothing was ever going to beat Dark Triumph. NOTHING! Effing book gold!
Red Iza
Too bad this book wasn’t as good as the others, maybe there’ll be a sequel to solve all unanswered questions ? I need to take a close look at this series anyway, thanks for sharing 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
I can foresee a series spinoff maybe.
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
I’ve only read the first in this series…but hope to finish the series next year. I think next year my primary goal will be finishing series! lol
Jennifer Bielman
I think that’s a great goal. I too need to actually finish some series.
Livia @ Butterfly-o-Meter Books
Mmmm yeah, I’m gonna wait a while before I read it, just read Dark Triumph and I don’t wanna compare them with little time between reads, lol. I freaking loved the first 2 and I want the series to end with a bang for me 😀
Awesome review, and I agree 100%, Dark Triumph is so good, it’s quite impossible to top it off. Much love Robin LaFevers!!
Jennifer Bielman
Dark Triumph is like the epitome of perfection. I am happy Mortal Heart was great too, even if it couldn’t beat MH.
Jennifer Bielman
I mean beat Dark triumph. 😀
Danica Page@Taking it One Page at a Time
Great review. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Thanks for commenting on one of my reviews as well. I hope you do get to read Becoming Beauty and that you enjoy it.
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks so much for stopping by.